Long-ball hitter is a long shot

A's

Bob Geren has seen hundreds of homers in the big leagues, but one was belted with so much authority that he recalls it clearly.

Dallas McPherson crushed an opposite-field shot off then-A's closer Octavio Dotel with one out in the ninth on Sept. 24, 2004, at Anaheim, and it is etched in Geren's memory.

"He hit one as far to left field as our right-handers did," the A's manager said Tuesday. "I talked to Dallas when we signed him, and he remembered it perfectly. It was a long one."

McPherson, now 29, was once one of the jewels of the Angels' superb minor-league system. He was touted as a future star, especially after winning Minor League Player of the Year honors in 2004. The following year, he began to have back and hip problems, and he hasn't had a completely healthy season since.

In 2005, he had hip surgery. In 2007, he had to have vertebrae fused because of spinal fractures, and the next year, he led all of minor-league baseball in homers. Last year, however, he needed more back surgery, this time to shave down a bone used in the first surgery that had grown too much and created trouble with a nerve.

The A's know all about third basemen and backs. Eric Chavez, who has won six Gold Gloves at third for Oakland, is also trying to come back after a second back surgery. "We shared a couple of back stories already," McPherson said. "I'm sure we'll talk about it more."

Oakland Athletics infielder Dallas McPherson (18) stretched with others at the Papago Park facility Saturday February 27, 2010. Annual spring training action with the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics from Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona. less

"His is more extensive," Chavez said. "It sounds awful. It's amazing he's still here and playing, and looks as strong as he looks. That gives me hope."

Largely because of Chavez's uncertain status, since the A's signed McPherson in November, they've traded for a starting third baseman, Kevin Kouzmanoff, and another corner infielder, Jake Fox. This will make it tough for McPherson to make the squad in April, though he'll provide excellent depth at Triple-A Sacramento - or, if he has a big-league opportunity elsewhere, Oakland might allow him to take it.

"There are a lot of different faces, but I still feel like I have a good opportunity here," McPherson sad. "We'll see how it plays out. I'll just go out there and be as good as I can be, and hopefully build on that."

"He has to show he's healthy and back to the form he was before," Geren said. "There's no question about the talent. Guys like that can create their own opportunities, for sure."